Latest News
Ballyburn is clear favourite for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham with most bookmakers after predictably outclassing his rivals on the fourth and final day of Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival.
Unbeaten in a point-to-point and two outings in bumpers, the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old suffered an odds-on reverse at the hands of Firefox on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse four weeks ago but was a 2-9 shot to bounce back to winning ways in the Pigsback.com Maiden Hurdle.
The result was never really in any doubt, with Ballyburn taking a lead from Saddle Her Up for much of the two-and-a-half-mile journey before taking over before the home turn.
With the final flight omitted, Paul Townend only had to keep the short-priced favourite up to his work in the straight and he passed the post a full 25 lengths clear of nearest pursuer Cleatus Poolaw
“He did what we were hoping he might do in Fairyhouse,” Mullins said.
“We were happy – he jumped well and galloped to the line, so he is improving. He has improved hugely from Fairyhouse, where he was probably beaten in a sprint.
“We are hoping there is plenty more improvement to come as well, we think there is anyway.”
BoyleSports were suitably impressed by Ballyburn’s performance, making him their 5-1 market leader (from 7-1) for the Ballymore at the Festival in March.
Mullins added: “He settled well enough – that’s what I was worried about, he would get too keen. He was more in his comfort zone today over two and a half miles.
“I’m not thinking of anything (future plans) – I’m just delighted we got today out of the way. He did it impressively. You’d be thinking he is more of a two-and-a-half-mile horse.
“Paul told me he appears keen, but it is just the way he carries his head low. He said every time he gave him a little feel on the reins, he came back underneath him. I’m very happy that the horse is learning all the time.”
Mullins went on to complete a treble on the card, with Grangeclare West and State Man both securing Grade One honours. The champion trainer’s total tally of winners across the four days of the Christmas Festivals at Leopardstown and Limerick ended at 16.
Stable debutant Linden Arden was all the rage for the Mullins team in the Timeless Sash Windows Irish EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle, but he could finish only sixth as Pat Fahey’s 12-1 shot Champagne Admiral made every yard of the running under a well-judged ride from Michael O’Sullivan.
Fahy said: “It was an unbelievable ride by Michael. I was thinking of dropping him in and getting him to switch off and Michael said he wasn’t happy and, maybe if there was no pace, he’d make up his own mind. You saw the result we got.
“We were happy with his mark but the handicapper is rarely wrong, as we know. In fairness, maybe he did give us a little bit of a chance, but he’s a good horse.”
Galon De Vauzelle was a 10-1 winner of the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase for trainer Philip Rothwell, while the concluding bumper went to Gordon Elliott’s Jalon D’oudairies.
Redemption Day, not seen since splitting stablemate Facile Vega and American Mike when second in a Grade One bumper at Punchestown in April 2022, was the 11-10 favourite to make a successful return from 611 days on the sidelines in the finale.
However, while he moved powerfully into the home straight, he was unable to reel in 9-4 shot Jalon D’oudairies, who dug deep from the front for Harry Swan to prevail by two and three-quarter lengths.
Elliott said: “He’s our Cheltenham bumper horse – we think he is nice. I thought he showed some attitude to have to make the running, we didn’t really want to.
“What I loved from two furlongs to the winning line was hands and heels and he just stretched the whole way. He picked up well.
“I thought it was a good performance. He’ll go straight there (Cheltenham), Jack Kennedy booked and all ready to go!”
